Learn How To See Your Warning Signs

Virtual work and social distancing takes a toll on us all

The virtual world has many valuable offerings and outcomes.

Never before could we go so fast, interact with so many people, and work 24/7 without leaving our comfortable chair at home.

However, this can come at a steep price.

We need to recognize — and take action — when we see our own warning signs.

I, like many people, have taken this pandemic very seriously. My office, since we can work from home safely, has gone nearly all virtual.

I have witnessed just how much our organization can do — and how quickly we can do it.

We used to host countless in-person events and met with many of our members in-person. Now we are close to 100% virtual due to COVID-19, and we are achieving record results.

However, I have also seen how it has taken a personal toll on me.

I have noticed my warning signs.

Lesson to Learn

We can spend all day with people virtually and still feel lonely, and like something is missing.

Virtual work take a toll on us if we don’t notice the signs.

We can become agitated. We can become isolated.

At some level, this makes no sense to us. Aren’t we with people all day long? We are — but virtual is not the same as in-person.

Spending quality time with an actual person or people, in a safe way, is the cure.

However, we need to recognize the signs.

Answer for Me

I used to spend my days mostly with people. As an introvert, that was both gratifying and, at times, exhausting.

Now I still spend my days with people, but it is mostly virtual.

The richness of human interaction is now what I crave and miss. I have noticed how it affects me.

I also have less downtime because I can attend back-to-back virtual meetings without any downtime in-between. However, I shouldn’t.

It’s not healthy for me. True silence and rest without work are needed.

So are rich conversations with my family and those I can safely spend time with in-person. It has become a requirement for me.

Action

As you live in our new virtual world, look for the signs in yourself of fatigue, depression, isolation, and agitation.

If you are a leader, notice how it impacts your way of leading and helping others.

Take the time to give yourself silence and rest.

Share your experiences with others.

Encourage those you care for to become aware of the stress of the crisis and take positive actions to help alleviate the ill effects we can experience.

Daily Habits

Get enough sleep.

Monitor your screen time.

Build-in silence and rest.

Simply hang out with others virtually before, during, and after meetings — like you would in the office.

Spend time in rich conversations with those you love to be with — at home and in the community.

Be safe — but realize you do need to be with others in ways that are not transactional — but are life-giving.

To learn more about leadership visit me at www.macny.org.

To get a copy of my book Present-Future Leader, go to www.amazon.com.